Psychologist states social media validation triggers entitlement behaviour

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The habit of receiving instant validation on social media risks triggering behaviour characterised by a sense of entitlement or a constant demand for special treatment that can carry over into real-life interactions, according to Professor Phil Reed, PhD, a Professor of Psychology at Swansea University.

Quoting from his writing in Psychology Today on Sunday (20/9) local time, Reed explained that basic social media features such as likes, comments, view counts, and follower numbers provide rapid responses that trigger instant gratification.

This consistent stream of feedback creates a very powerful social reward system in the brain. In several neuroscience studies, this digital reward stimulation can even trigger neural reactions that are stronger than rewards in the form of material goods or money.

Over time, users who are accustomed to being showered with digital praise for their daily activities begin to expect the same level of recognition in the real world, whether in the workplace, university, or personal relationships.

“This condition creates a frustration gap when everyday interactions fail to match the fast-paced and instant nature of the virtual world,” said Reed.

When these expectations are not met in reality, disappointment can quickly transform into anger or resentment based on a sense of entitlement.

Reed also highlighted that most content on social media is the result of strict curation that only highlights final achievements without showing the hard work, sacrifice, and failures behind them. This distorts an individual’s perspective on the actual process of achievement.

To address these psychological impacts, Reed suggests that users build critical awareness while browsing the digital world.

The public is encouraged to place more value on real processes and hard work rather than merely chasing digital visibility, as well as to foster gratitude and mental resilience in an era where validation is always available with just a single click.